VecRas Cutter Settings & Best Practices

VecRas Cutting Setup Guide

(Force Speed Blade Thin vs Thick Skins Best Practices)

Machine used for VecRas validation:
Graphtec CE7000

All VecRas cut files are  designed, tested, and validated on the Graphtec CE7000 to ensure real-world accuracy, stable tracking, and repeatable commercial production results.

Can both thin and thick skins be cut on the same machine?

Yes.
The Graphtec CE7000 can cut a wide range of vinyl thicknesses.

Only the following need adjustment:

• Cutting force
• Cutting speed
• Blade depth
• Blade angle

The machine and cut files remain unchanged.

VecRas Starter Cutting Settings (Baseline Reference)

These are  reference starting points used during VecRas testing.
Always fine-tune with a test cut, as vinyl brands and batches vary.

Blade Angle – What should I use?

45° Blade (Recommended for Thin Skins)

• Clean cuts on thin cast vinyl
• Smooth curves and small details
• Less stress on the liner
• Easier weeding

Use for: standard device skins and thin materials.

60° Blade (Recommended for Thick Skins)

• Better penetration on thicker or textured vinyl
• Sharper corner definition
• More stable cutting on heavy materials

Use for: premium, textured, or protective films.

⚠️ Using a 60° blade on thin vinyl may cause over-cutting and liner damage.

Blade Depth Rule (Critical)

Regardless of blade angle:

• Only the tip of the blade should be exposed
• Blade must cut vinyl only, not the liner

Check:
You should barely feel the cut line on the backing paper.

What force should be used?

Thin Skins

• Typical range: Force 7–8
• Start low and increase gradually
• Liner must remain intact

Thick Skins

• Typical reference: Force 16
• Always confirm with a test cut
• Thickness and adhesive strength vary by brand

⚠️ Never use Force 16 on thin skins.

How does speed affect cutting?

Thick Skins

• High speed can distort shapes, especially on curves
• Lower speed improves edge quality and accuracy

Thin Skins

• Medium speed works best
• Very high speed may cause lifting or inaccurate edges

Force alone does not guarantee accuracy — speed matters.

Why is a test cut always required?

A test cut helps:

• Confirm force and blade depth
• Prevent cutting through the liner
• Avoid blade damage
• Reduce vinyl waste

Even with known settings, a test cut ensures compatibility with the  exact vinyl batch being used.

Why do shapes distort even when force is correct?

Distortion is usually caused by:

• Speed set too high
• Vinyl not secured properly
• Weak or thin release liner

Force alone is rarely the problem.

What if the release liner is too thin?

If the liner is unstable:

• Mount the vinyl onto a thicker backing, or
• Replace it with stronger release paper

This improves stability and dimensional accuracy.

Why VecRas provides separate Thin & Thick cut files

Different vinyl thicknesses behave differently during cutting.
VecRas supplies  separately optimized cut files for thin and thick skins to ensure:

• Clean edges on all materials
• Better corner definition on thicker vinyl
• Consistent, repeatable commercial production results

No resizing or editing is required.

Simply:

1. Select the correct VecRas file (Thin or Thick)
2. Match blade angle and force to the vinyl
3. Confirm with a test cut

Final Takeaway

For best results with VecRas cut files:

• Match cut file + blade angle + force to vinyl thickness
• Keep blade depth minimal
• Control speed, especially on thick materials
• Always run a test cut

This disciplined setup is exactly how VecRas achieves  clean, reliable, production-grade cutting accuracy across machines, materials, and brands.